Each year, Linfield University recognizes excellence among faculty members with six endowed awards, each of which come with a stipend. This year’s honorees:
Edith Green Distinguished Professor Award, given to a faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding teaching effectiveness: Daniel E. Zajic, assistant professor of anatomy within the Health, Human Performance and Athletics department who researches fish embryo survival during bouts of no oxygen, and Christopher Dahlvig, associate professor of accounting, who specializes in efficiency, process and not-for-profit accounting.
From the citations:
“Dr. Zajic has three nominations, including a robust, descriptive nomination of why he is a gifted teacher — he doesn’t try to weed. His enthusiasm and energy in and out of the classroom are readily apparent and conversations with his students support that this is the norm. Students know that Daniel ‘has their back’ and that he sincerely wants to see them succeed. He works tirelessly to meet students where they are and shepherd them along to not only comprehend material, but more importantly, gain confidence in their ability to learn … Formally trained as a comparative physiologist, he plans to expand his research line to anoxia in humans … which fits extremely well with the educational objectives of our department.”
“‘Professor Dahlvig is a wonderful professor. He is super passionate about accounting, and it shows. His enthusiasm makes class fun and engaging.’ He is responsive to student feedback and class observations making changes to create a dynamic learning environment, has developed new courses and new content. He co-authored a paper regarding the correlation between dollars spent on instruction per full-equivalent student and student graduation and retention rates was published and contributed to research in the higher education arena. His primary interest is in action research. He has presented research developed individually and collaboratively at local conferences, as part of a faculty lecture series and an international conference.”
Samuel H. Graf Award, given annually to a faculty member who has made an outstanding contribution to the life of the college beyond their regular duties that is worthy of special recognition: Yanna Weisberg, professor of psychology and department co-chair who specializes in personality psychology, and the interplay between personality and interpersonal behaviors.
From the citation:
“Dr. Weisberg demonstrates special merit in each category, as evidenced student comments on nomination forms: ‘I was truly scared about this class in the summer, but the way that you laid out our coursework and provided so many examples and opportunities to ask questions really changed my whole perspective! I (actually) think I could see myself doing research analysis in the future, and it’s all because I felt empowered in this class!’ ‘Dr. Weisberg’s teaching is grounded in a solid teaching philosophy; she wants her students to truly learn the material.’”
Marvin and Laurie Henberg International Scholarship Award, recognizing a faculty member whose scholarly activity focuses on an international topic or theme, has passed peer review and has been or is slated for publication on the basis of such review: Rachel Schley, assistant professor of history, specializing in modern Europe and the Mediterranean.
From the citation:
“Dr. Schley’s article has undergone rigorous peer review and has been accepted for publication later this year (2023). French Politics, Culture & Society is the journal of the Conference Group on French Politics & Society. It is jointly sponsored by the Institute of French Studies at New York University and the Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies at Harvard University. … Dr. Schley’s growing reputation as an expert in the field of French colonial history, as well as the histories of the Mediterranean and North Africa is well reflected in this article and illustrates the promise she shows in continuing to develop her research agenda.”
Julie Olds and Thomas Hellie Creative Achievement Award, given for an outstanding creative work that has been recognized by their peers, and has been or is slated for dissemination in ways appropriate for the specific focus of the work: Lindsey Mantoan, assistant professor of theatre and performance studies whose research addresses violence, trauma and culture through the lens of performance.
From the citation:
“In the last year, in addition to Lindsey’s work as a director (“Firebringer” and “Heathers the Musical” at Linfield) and intimacy director (“The God Cluster” at Fuse Theatre Ensemble, “The Secretaries” at Willamette University, “Doctor Voynich and Her Children” and “Hurricane Diane, both at Linfield), she also co-edited “Troubling Traditions: Canonicity, Theatre, and Performance in the US” (Routledge 2022), an anthology of dialogues. … The book presents a long-overdue debate on what we teach, produce, promote, and center — and suggests alternative approaches to the field …. The book also includes contributions by two former students—one of whom is Melory Mirashrafi, who graduated from Linfield in 2019.”
Cathy and Dave Haugeberg School of Nursing Faculty Award, selected based on demonstration of exemplary leadership in any of the following: service innovation and excellence; teaching innovation and excellence; scholarship innovation and excellence: Mindy Zeitzer, assistant professor specializing in ethical issues in nursing, nursing communications and chronic conditions.
From the citation:
“Dr. Zeitzer, who received multiple nominations, displays exemplary leadership and mentoring skills, and is co-director of our largest nursing program. Her dedication to fostering consistency in courses and ensuring equitable student experiences has made a profound impact on our nursing students and the school as a whole.
Her research on ethical issues in nursing practice, critical care and advanced practice, among other areas, reflects her commitment to advancing the field of nursing. … Dr. Zeitzer has also been an innovative educator. She co-launched a podcast with another faculty member, providing invaluable assistance to students in grasping complex concepts. Additionally, she co-authored a chapter on Families Living with Chronic Disease in the Family Health Care Nursing Textbook. Her dedication, leadership, and commitment to advancing nursing education and practice make her an invaluable member of our faculty. We are immensely proud to have her among us.”
In addition to the above, the following faculty members earned promotions or tenure this year:
Christopher Dahlvig: Awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor of accounting. Prior to joining Linfield in 2018, he spent 20 years working various accounting roles in the not-for-profit sector including higher education, outdoor ministry, healthcare and philanthropy.
Rachel Norman: Awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor. She joined Linfield in 2018 from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she earned her Ph.D. in comparative literature.
Sreerupa Ray: Awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor of biology. Her research focuses on mutagenesis as a cause of cancer. She holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Louisiana State University and was a postdoctoral fellow at University of Texas’ MD Anderson Cancer Center. She joined Linfield in 2016.
Cisco Reyes: Awarded tenure; he teaches sports performance enhancement and helms the Master and Science in Sports Science and analytics. After earning his Ph.D. in education with a major in exercise science from the University of Idaho, he joined Linfield as an associate professor in 2017.
Yanna Weisberg: Promoted to professor of psychology. After earning her Ph.D. in psychology from University of Minnesota, she joined Linfield in 2011. She specializes in personality, gender and relationships.
Tom Reinert, professor of general science and department chair, was awarded emeritus status. He taught inorganic chemistry, including porphyrin chemistry, organometallic chemistry, and chemical applications of group theory.
